Summer Assignment Part 1

Why did Machiavelli write The Prince ?
Name three recurring themes in The Prince
Describe the role of armies according to Machiavelli
Why does Machiavelli say that it is better for a prince “to be both loved and feared?” Is it possible to be both ? Explain
In chapter 20, what three bits of advice does Machiavelli give the prince ?
According to Machiavelli in chapter 21, what must a prince do to be esteemed ?
List and describe ten characteristics of a Machiavellian ruler
As you perceive it , describe what a state might be like under a Machiavellian ruler

Answers :

Machiavelli wrote The Prince to give many other rulers or “princes” advice on how to rule their land or kingdom , he wanted to teach many “princes on how to conquer land as well in a proper way.
Trust, respect, and violence are three recurring themes in The Prince
Armies according to Machiavelli were there to attack and defend when needed, they were armies that were powerful
Machiavelli believes it is good to be both loved and feared at the same time. He believes that if the rulers are too kind to their people many might start to use him or her. If a ruler was feared many would not try to challenge their beliefs and riots would not happen. It is possible to be both because the ruler can be powerful but also listen to what the people want and have to say as well.
In chapter 20, Machiavelli gave the princes much advice , Machiavelli told the prince that it is not good to disarm people , princes should not disarm people. He also told princes to not make any factions with people and if they built fortresses it would be because the rulers had defiant towns,fortresses were for the rebellious.
In chapter 21, Machiavelli believed that a prince must go to war and most importantly win the war he is fighting in order to be respected and admired.
The ten characteristics of a Machiavellian ruler are that rulers are very wise, loved by the people and also feared at the same time, they are strategic, very serious, quick to think, precautious, never caught off guard always ready, kind, and fortunate.
A state under a Machiavellian ruler would have citizens who wouldn’t be forced to doing want they hate which would mean citizens would love the ruler, since the citizens loved him there would be no riots or rebellions against him.

Summer Assignment Part 2 : Sir Thomas More
Questions:

Describe the geography of Utopia. What role does geography play in the way Utopian society developed ?
Describe the economy of Utopia.
Define the following terms by consulting a dictionary: capitalism, socialism, and communism. Based upon the definitions of these terms, what elements of each are present in Utopia?
Choose any five of the following topics and describe their role in Utopia: cities, community life, economy, education, artisans, agriculture, philosophy, religion, law, foreign relations, and slavery.
What does Utopia tell us about More’s views of humans and humanity?
Would it be possible to establish a community like Utopia? Why or why not?

Answers :

Utopia is an island that is in the shape of a crescent , this island only has one exit which is the open end. This exit is covered by many rocks on one side and another with shallow water, these are tools or defenses that protect the island from invaders. Weather is pretty calm with no strong winds or currents disturbing trade within the island.
The economy in Utopia does not have a national currency, the citizens work for the country , only leaders have valuables like gold and silver
Capitalism is an economic and political system in which country’s trade is controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. Socialism is a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. Communism is a political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and need. In Utopia , leaders are the ones that use resources for foreign affairs, all works are paid equally among all the people, and communities work together and do all the trade.
Cities in Utopia are equal and information is traded among cities, also Utophia has no currency and citiznes for for thier country. Many cities that are located further in the country where farming is done the most, have many citizens from different cities come and see ideas and learn from farmers and bring back information to their cities on farming, citizens have no greed and food is for everybody, with public food storages access to food is really easy.
Slavery does exist and many slaves are war slaves or wrong doers and although were slaves they are still treated as humans. This shows that More believed that all were created equal.
I believe that a community like Utopia could exist because all citizens live in harmony with no greed at all. Money does not exist eliminating greed and all are treated equal and are paid equal as well. Equality is shared and all citizens work for the country and not just their families, food is shared among all people which would lead to there being peace among all cities and citizens as well.